A bloggy thing created for the book groups of Mr B's Emporium of Reading Delights (Bath's fabulous award-winning independent bookshop) so we can continue chatting about the books and others can join in. Whenever possible we ask the authors of the books we read to answer a few questions, so we'll put their answers here so everyone can see them and debate them. And I expect the blog might get used for other bookish and Mr B'sish stuff too, if inclination, time and demand seem to encourage it.

Wednesday, 12 January 2011

Lucinda's Reading Challenge: Book One

OK, so 2011 is going to be a basement odyssey for me:I'm working my way clockwise round the lower groundfloor shelves of the shop, section by section.First up is The Case For God author Karen Armstrong'snew offering Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life.This probably knocks most New Year's Resolutionsinto a cocked hat, given that it is a global call to er....whatever the opposite of 'arms' is. The premise issimple: individuals have the power to bring the worldback from its current 'dangerously polarised' state,by overriding their instinctive aggressive, protectionisttendencies and adopting a compassionate stance. Forsuch a mammoth aim, the prose is very easy to read.Karen Armstrong's use of 'we' throughout the book isboth coaxing and beguiling. She is also very good atcasually dropping in some pretty big statementsabout the development of world religion. Bearing in mindthis is my first foray into the Religion and Spirituality shelf,I feel as though I've learnt some key aspects of religioushistory (and am even inclined to read more in this area atsome stage). The daily mind exercises and suggestionsfor group activities are perhaps a step too far for scepticalreaders - but I guess the proof will be in whethercolleagues and customers can discern a change in my attitude!The big test for my post-Armstrong rosy outlook has probablyarrived in the shape of my Philosophy shelf choice: John Gray'sBlack Mass, arguing why we are misplaced in thinking we canmake the world a better place...here goes...